CERAMIC MEMBRANE FILTER EXTRUSION GUIDING CONVEYOR

Abstract

Title: CERAMIC MEMBRANE FILTER EXTRUSION GUIDING CONVEYOR This invention presents a guiding conveyor system designed for handling ceramic 5 membranes post-extrusion to prevent misalignment and breakage. The system features an endless conveyor belt (2) with semi-circled rubber guides (1) that hold each membrane securely during cooling. A drive motor (4) and drive roller (5) provide controlled movement, while a trail roller (6) maintains tension to prevent vibrations. Stability is ensured by a cross supporting arbor (3) beneath the belt, and adjustable 10 base supporting legs (7) align the conveyor with other equipment. Wheels (8) at the base offer mobility, allowing flexible integration into production lines. Figure 1

Specification

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of ceramic membrane filter production,
5 particularly focusing on improving the handling and alignment process in the extrusion
stage. It specifically addresses challenges in positioning and stabilizing the ceramic
membrane on the conveyor post-extrusion to prevent deviations that lead to waste.
This invention is aimed at optimizing the manufacturing process of RO filter ceramic
membranes by introducing a guided conveyor system that maintains precise alignment
10 * of fragile membranes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In the production of ceramic membrane filters, especially those used in reverse
15 osmosis (RO) systems, maintaining the integrity of the membrane during the extrusion
and cooling processes is essential. Following extrusion, ceramic membranes are rigid
and prone to cracking or breaking if subjected to any misalignment or deviation.
Traditionally, these membranes are placed on a flat conveyor belt to cool. However,
due to their fragile structure post-extrusion, even a slight misalignment on the
20 conveyor can result in cracks or damage, rendering the membrane unusable and
leading to material waste and increased production costs.
Attempts to stabilize these membranes on the conveyor through manual adjustments
have proven unreliable and labor-intensive. Standard flat conveyors lack the specific
25 support needed to prevent movement of the membrane as it cools, creating a critical
gap in the production line where misalignment often occurs. Additionally, due to the
ceramic material's inflexibility, any correction after misalignment is impractical, as the
membrane becomes brittle after extrusion. There is a clear need for an improved
conveyor design that can prevent these issues by maintaining consistent alignment and stability of the ceramic membranes during the cooling phase.
This invention introduces a novel conveyor system that uses semi-circled guides along
the conveyor belt to securely position each ceramic membrane, minimizing lateral
movement. This guided alignment system aims to overcome the drawbacks of
traditional conveyor methods, offering a more reliable and efficient approach to
handling ceramic membranes post-extrusion and ensuring product integrity
throughout the cooling process.


OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
1. Ensure that each ceramic membrane remains securely positioned on the
conveyor belt during the cooling process, reducing the risk of damage.
2. Minimize production losses caused by misaligned or damaged membranes,
thus improving overall material efficiency and reducing costs.
3. Provide a stable and controlled conveyor system that handles the delicate
ceramic membranes with minimal risk of movement or deviation.
4. Decrease the need for manual adjustments or corrections by incorporating
guided alignment directly into the conveyor system.
5. Streamline the post-extrusion process to support consistent production quality,
enhancing productivity by reducing membrane rejections and process
interruptions.
6. Design the system to integrate seamlessly into existing manufacturing lines
while allowing for adjustments in height and position for compatibility with other
machinery.
7. Address the unique handling needs of rigid, brittle ceramic materials to maintain
product integrity without compromising speed or efficiency in the cooling phase.
25 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention introduces an advanced conveyor system designed to stabilize and
align ceramic membranes during the critical cooling phase post-extrusion. Featuring
an endless conveyor belt equipped with semi-circled rubber guides, this system
30 ensures each membrane remains securely positioned, preventing lateral movement
and minimizing the risk of misalignment. The conveyor incorporates additional support
elements, such as cross-supporting arbors, drive and tail rollers, and adjustable
supporting legs to maintain stability and smooth transport. This configuration provides
consistent alignment and controlled movement, reducing the need for manual
intervention and minimizing product waste. By maintaining precise positioning of
fragile ceramic membranes, the invention enhances production efficiency and
improves the quality and integrity of each membrane, offering a significant
improvement over traditional flat conveyor setups.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The accompanying drawing are intended to provide further understanding of
invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of invention. The drawing
illustrates an embodiment of invention and together with the description illustrate the
10 principle of invention.
The drawing should not be taken as implying any necessary limitation on the
essential scope of invention. The drawing is given by way of non-limitation examples
to explain the nature of the invention.
For a more complete understanding of the instant invention references now
15 made to the following description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawing.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out
specifically in the claims which are a part of description. For a better understanding of
the invention, its operating advantage, specific objects by its use, reference should be
made to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described
20 preferred embodiments of invention. Referring now to the drawing, where numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the referred views.
Figure 1 shows the drawing for "Ceramic membrane filter extrusion guiding
conveyor" showing

1. Semi Circled Guides
2. Endless conveyor belt
3. Cross supporting arbor
4. Drive Motor
5. Drive Roller
30 6. Tail Roller
7. Base Supporting Legs
8. Wheel



The invention has been explained in relation to specific embodiment. It is referred that
the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it is not
5 intended that the invention be limited or restrictive thereto. Many other specific
embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the
foregoing disclosure.
The scope of the invention should therefore be determining not with reference the
10 above description bout should be determine with reference to appended claims along
with full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Detailed Description of the Invention with Reference to drawing
15 1. SEMI-CIRCLED GUIDES:
Positioned along the surface of the conveyor belt, these rubber guides cradle each
ceramic membrane, preventing lateral shifts during transport. Their semi-circular
shape secures the membrane, reducing movement that can lead to misalignment
or breakage. Placed in continuous intervals, they ensure consistent alignment from
20 extrusion to cooling.
2. ENDLESS CONVEYOR BELT:
Located centrally, this belt provides a continuous pathway for the ceramic
membranes as they cool. Its smooth movement maintains steady transport, while
25 the semi-circled guides ensure the membranes remain aligned. The belt is driven
by the motor and rollers to deliver controlled and consistent speed.
3. CROSS SUPPORTING ARBOR:
Situated beneath the conveyor, the cross supporting arbor adds structural stability,
30 distributing weight evenly and supporting the belt's alignment. This feature helps
prevent belt sagging, ensuring smooth movement and reducing potential for
membrane deviation.


4. DRIVE MOTOR:
Positioned at one end of the conveyor, the drive motor powers the drive roller,
setting the conveyor belt in motion. By providing a consistent speed, the motor
enables controlled membrane movement through the cooling phase, essential for
5 maintaining proper alignment.
5. DRIVE ROLLER:
Located at the driven end of the conveyor belt, the drive roller works with the motor
to move the belt at a consistent pace. It ensures the conveyor runs smoothly,
10 minimizing the chance of jerking or stopping that could disturb membrane
alignment.
6. TAIL ROLLER:
Placed at the opposite end of the drive roller, the tail roller guides the belt, keeping
15 it tensioned and aligned. This roller aids in smooth belt rotation, ensuring that
membranes are transported without interruption or misalignment.
7. BASE SUPPORTING LEGS:
Situated at each corner, these adjustable legs provide stability to the entire
20 conveyor system. They can be adjusted to fit the height of other equipment,
allowing seamless integration into the manufacturing line and stable operation.
8. WHEELS:
Located at the base of the supporting legs, wheels enable mobility for the conveyor
25 system. This allows easy repositioning and reconfiguration within the production
line, providing flexibility as needed for different stages of the manufacturing
process.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
30
This invention provides a conveyor system optimized for handling fragile ceramic
membranes post-extrusion. To prevent misalignment and damage, the conveyor belt
is equipped with semi-circled rubber guides (1) placed along the surface. These guides
cradle each membrane, preventing lateral shifts and securely aligning the membrane
throughout the cooling process. The endless conveyor belt (2), located at the center of the setup, moves continuously and uniformly, maintaining consistent speed and
stability to minimize the risk of deviation.
5 The conveyor is supported by a cross supporting arbor (3) underneath, which
distributes weight evenly, keeping the belt taut and preventing sagging. This structure
reinforces the belt, ensuring it maintains a stable plane for membrane transport. The
drive motor (4), positioned at one end, powers the drive roller (5) to keep the conveyor
moving smoothly and at a controlled speed. This consistency in speed is essential for
10 ensuring the membrane cools uniformly without shifts in position.
At the opposite end, the tail roller (6) provides necessary counter-tension, maintaining
belt alignment and preventing slack, which could lead to vibrations or jerky
movements. The conveyor is stabilized by adjustable base supporting legs (7)
15 positioned at each corner, which provide height adjustment to align with other
equipment in the production line. This adjustability helps integrate the conveyor
seamlessly into various manufacturing setups.
Finally, wheels (8) at the base of the legs enable easy mobility of the entire conveyor
20 unit. This feature allows quick reconfiguration within the production line or relocation
as needed. Together, these components provide a stable, efficient, and precise
conveyor system that preserves the integrity of ceramic membranes by preventing
misalignment and minimizing handling errors during the delicate post-extrusion
cooling phase.


BEST METHOD OF OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
1. Positioning of the Conveyor System:
Set the conveyor at the end of the extrusion machine, aligning it with the
30 machine's exit to ensure that ceramic membranes smoothly transition from the
extruder onto the conveyor belt (2). Use the adjustable supporting legs (7) to
match the height and angle of the extrusion equipment.

2. Initial Placement of Ceramic Membrane:
As the ceramic membrane exits the extruder, it is placed onto the moving
conveyor belt within the semi-circled rubber guides (1). These guides,
positioned along the belt's surface, cradle each membrane securely to prevent
5 any lateral shifts that could cause misalignment.
3. Controlled Movement via Drive Motor and Drive Roller:
The drive motor (4) activates the drive roller (5), moving the endless conveyor belt (2) at a steady speed. This consistent movement is crucial, as abrupt
10 changes could jostle the ceramic membrane, leading to potential misalignment
or cracking.
4. Continuous Guidance and Support:
As the belt moves, the semi-circled guides continue to hold each membrane in
15 place, maintaining its alignment throughout the cooling phase. The cross
supporting arbor (3) beneath the conveyor distributes weight, keeping the belt
stable and preventing sagging, which can otherwise disturb the membrane's
position.
20 5. Belt Tension and Smooth Rotation:
The tail roller (6) located at the opposite end of the drive roller provides the
necessary counter-tension to keep the belt tight and stable. This tension helps
• eliminate belt vibration, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted membrane
movement along the conveyor..
25 '
6. Mobility and Reconfiguration:
The wheels (8) at the base enable easy repositioning of the conveyor within the
production line, allowing adjustments or maintenance without dismantling the
system. This mobility supports flexible, efficient operation across different
30 stages of membrane production.
This method ensures a precise, stable, and efficient transport of ceramic
membranes post-extrusion, minimizing handling errors and preventing product
loss.



ADVANTAGES
❖ Prevents Misalignment: Ensures ceramic membranes stay aligned during
4
cooling, reducing the risk of breakage.
5 ❖ Reduces Waste: Minimizes product loss by maintaining membrane integrity,
decreasing production costs.
❖ Improves Production Efficiency: Lowers need for manual adjustments and
handling, speeding up the manufacturing process.
❖ Enhances Product Quality: Provides stable, controlled cooling, preserving
10 membrane quality and structural consistency.
❖ Reduces Maintenance Needs: Guided support and tensioning minimize wear
and tear on the conveyor system.
❖ Easily Integrates with Existing Equipment: Adjustable legs and mobility make it
adaptable for various production setups.
❖ Supports Flexible Operation: Wheels allow easy relocation or reconfiguration enabling versatile use in different stages of production.




We Claim
1. A guiding conveyor system for handling ceramic membranes post-extrusion,
comprising
i. an endless conveyor belt (2) with semi-circled rubber guides (1)
positioned along the belt's surface to cradle and align ceramic
membranes,
ii. a drive motor (4) connected to a drive roller (5) for maintaining consistent
movement,
iii. a cross supporting arbor (3) positioned beneath the convoyor belt for
weight distribution and stability, and base supporting legs (7) for height
adjustment and integration with existing equipment;
iv. the semi-circled guides preventing lateral movement of membranes
during transport, minimizing misalignment and breakage during cooling.
2. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the semi-circled rubber guides (1) are
continuously spaced along the belt (2) to ensure each ceramic membrane
20 remains securely aligned throughout the cooling phase
3. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the drive motor (4) and drive roller (5)
operate together to control the conveyor speed, preventing abrupt movements
that could disrupt membrane alignment.
25
4. The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising a tail roller (6) located at
the opposite end of the drive roller (5) to provide counter-tension, maintaining
belt alignment and minimizing vibrations during transport.
30 5. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the cross supporting arbor (3)
reinforces the conveyor belt (2) by evenly distributing the membrane's weight,
preventing belt sagging and maintaining a stable surface for membrane
transport.


6. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the base supporting legs (7) are
adjustable to align the conveyor height with the extrusion machine and other
manufacturing equipment.
7. The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising wheels (8) at the base of
the supporting legs (7) to enable mobility, allowing for easy reconfiguration and
positioning within the production line

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